01.02.12

The 1994 Group of
leading universities has responded to the Higher Education Funding Council for
England's (HEFCE's) letter setting out funding for higher education 2012-13.

The letter includes
the news that HEFCE will provide an additional £1,100 per full time student for
postgraduate students starting in 2012-13.

Professor Michael
Farthing, Chairman of the 1994 Group and Vice Chancellor of the University of
Sussex, said:

"This is a
breakthrough moment for postgraduate study, an issue which has been ignored for
far too long. For months now the 1994 Group has been calling on Ministers to
take action to ensure that funding is in place to support postgraduate
teaching. We are delighted that these calls have been heard and that HEFCE will
allocate £1,100 to institutions for each full time postgraduate student
starting in 2012.

"Welcome as
today's news is however, there is still work to do. Even with the direct grant
announced today institutions will still need to charge fees to cover the costs
of postgraduate courses. As things stand postgraduate students are not able to
access the same subsidised loans as undergraduates. With public finances so tight
we need to apply some innovative thinking so that talented and motivated
students have access to the finance needed to progress to postgraduate level.
One idea might be to encourage banks to offer more career development loans on
more generous terms than is currently the case.

"The high level
skills of postgraduates are absolutely essential to the country's long term
economic prospects, not to mention the role postgraduate study plays in
developing the next generation of researchers. Today's news is a step in the
right direction but we need to keep up the momentum to ensure the long term
viability of postgraduate study."

1. The 1994 Group represents 19 of the UK’s leading
student-focused research-intensive universities. It was established in 1994 to
promote excellence in University research and teaching.

2. 12 of the top 20 universities in the Guardian University Guide
2012 league tables are 1994 Group members. 8 of the top 20 universities in the
2012 Sunday Times University League Table are 1994 Group members. 9 of the top
20 universities in the 2012 Complete University Guide are 1994 Group members.

3. In 17 major
subject areas 1994 Group universities are the UK leaders, achieving 1st place
in their field (THE RAE subject rankings 2008). 57% of the 1994 Group's
research is rated 4* 'world-leading' or 3* 'internationally excellent' (RAE
2008, HEFCE).

4. The 1994 Group represents: University of Bath, Birkbeck
University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University
of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Institute of Education
University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster
University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary
University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School
of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex,
University of York.